Author Topic: Ken Russell : a Bit of a Devil  (Read 4032 times)

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Offline BoyScoutKevin

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Re: Ken Russell : a Bit of a Devil
« Reply #3 on: October 18, 2015, 09:54:20 PM »
Final Thoughts

1. He was the 1st to use an actor as a composer in his TV work.

2. Yet he wasn't looking for actors, he was looking for people who embodied what he was looking for.

3. This is one of the few times to mention his work in opera, which was just as controversial as his work on TV and in films.

4. Even 70 years after he was sexually molested, he seems to have trouble talking about it, which may be why that subject comes up so many times in his films, as it is his way of dealing of his sexual molestation.

Next time: his 12 most difficult

Offline BoyScoutKevin

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Re: Ken Russell : a Bit of a Devil
« Reply #2 on: October 03, 2015, 08:58:41 PM »
Ken's films

Amelia and the Angel
regarded as his 1st important directorial effort

The Boyfriend
his only G-rated, family film

Tommy
his most successful film--financially, if not critically

Lisztomania
"the film that broke the viewer's back"
his turning point, as people lost their patience with him

Altered States
his 1st science fiction film
his 1st film within the Hollywood system. Not a good fit, as he was too ambitious for Hollywood

Lair of the White Worm
in 1988, Amanda Donohoe wondered whether it was a comedy or serious. 27 years later, viewers are still wondering whether it is a comedy or serious, which is probably why it does not get more respect.

Next time: final thoughts

Offline BoyScoutKevin

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Ken Russell : a Bit of a Devil
« Reply #1 on: September 22, 2015, 09:34:35 PM »
A 50-minute documentary on Ken Russell made shortly after his death.

Ken's adjectives
. . .flamboyant
. . .groundbreaking
. . .incendiary
. . .revolutionary

Ken's influences
(from most to least)

his conversion to Catholicism

his career as a still photographer
which taught him how to shoot a scene in his later films. where visual was all.

his first sexual experience
which happened while he was watching "Pinocchio" in the movie theater, and while he was watching the film, the man sitting next to him fondled him.

his five years as a ballet dancer
which taught him how to move the characters around in a scene he was shooting.

Next time: his films